SMACK.

  "Ow!"

  Celeste's mansion "Alabaster Hall," three days before the mansion unveiling party.

  Lady Biala's fan mercilessly struck Celeste's back.

  Celeste was being handled... rather, working hard at manner practice.

  "I've told you many times.

  A gentleman must always keep his back straight.

  Your problem is immediately taking a hunched posture.

  Now! Straighten your back! Chest out!"

  "Well, even if you say that..."

  Thanks to computers and smartphones, hunched backs were like an ailment for modern Earthlings.

  However much he explained how difficult correcting it was, it wouldn't get through.

  'I don't want to be criticized about hunched backs by you, a cat!'

  He thought, but that cat—Felinoid Lady Biala herself—maintained such beautiful posture that no fault could be found, so he couldn't voice complaints. Moreover, she never broke that posture. Was this basic for becoming a society celebrity? Celeste was both impressed and exasperated.

  —Celeste didn't yet know that both the Queen and Lady deliberately withheld that she was the 'Society Queen.'

  "Fortunately, you seem to have learned other manners thoroughly.

  Hearing you came from a world without class systems, I was honestly worried."

  "Well, even without class systems, it's a world with manners."

  Precisely speaking, because it was a world that 'had' class systems, most manners and etiquette were remnants of noble society. Just that he could quickly adapt to similar manners here.

  'Well, no need to tell class society residents about "class systems being abolished." Just invites unnecessary confusion and resentment.'

  "Also, your speech issue.

  You still seem unaccustomed to your own status, but please refrain from immediately using honorifics with everyone.

  Regis is the highest rank among nobles.

  Moreover, you're not even an ordinary Regis, but a Regis with 'Basi' meaning royal blood relation.

  For such highest-ranking noble to use honorifics with lower-status people...

  In noble society, that alone can invite contempt, so please be careful."

  "Ah, with Garkan-kun, meeting for the first time I unconsciously used honorifics...

  He frothed at the mouth and collapsed."

  "W-well, in his case, I also think it was unavoidable.

  Given that appearance."

  Even Lady Biala seemed overwhelmed by Garkan's intimidating appearance.

  "So basically, casual speech or rather superior speech to Comis and below nobles, right? Like '~de aru' or 'as you will.'"

  "Rather than superior, you truly are a superior person."

  "But the six ministers are exceptions, and I can also use honorifics with elderly Comis-Marc, right?"

  "Yes, well remembered. Exactly."

  'In harsh worlds, beware when encountering elders.

  They didn't just survive, they 'could survive.''

  He didn't remember exactly what, but some novel he'd once read had such a passage.

  Though this Felideria Kingdom seemed reasonably peaceful governance, old nobles were existences demonstrating they'd 'survived' the noble society—a dog-eat-dog world.

  So Celeste took those manners.

  Of course, respecting elders was naturally part of it too.

  "If only we could somehow fix that hunched posture, preparations would be perfect."

  "I'll do my best, but please forgive just that, Lady."

  Smiling wryly, Celeste moved to the preparation building.

  He had things to convey to Garkan about party day food.

  Walking the corridor, Celeste received elegant curtseys from cleaning maids.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  'As expected of Lady Biala's training—even maids' every movement is elegant.'

  Thinking this, Celeste consciously straightened his spine.

  "Garkan, are you there?"

  "Y-yes! Master!"

  When told 'I have business, let's meet at the kitchen,' Garkan had been surprised nearly collapsing, yet despite knowing Celeste was coming, came running while swaying his giant frame noisily.

  "Ah, it's fine, wait there.

  If someone your size rushes around, the kitchen will become chaotic."

  "Y-yesss..."

  Thinking he'd been scolded, Garkan shrank with a dejected face. Still, his build was easily twice Celeste's. Approaching such a him, Celeste desperately tightened his loosening cheeks.

  'S-so cuuuuute!!'

  For cat people, surprisingly many think of tigers as 'big kitties.'

  Celeste—Amashiro—was one.

  Before such a him was a Furani with a tiger's own face.

  Moreover with a dejected expression, round eyes, innocent-looking face...

  He desperately wanted to squish those cheeks, but had to endure here.

  'What if he quits claiming harassment! When a tiger is this close!

  ...No good. I had business, didn't I?'

  Celeste tightened his loosening mouth again and addressed Garkan.

  "What I taught you the other day, how was it? Been practicing?"

  "Yes! That was... truly amazing cuisine!

  Suitable for mass preparation, and above all, no dirty fingers while confidently picking them up—truly excellent for parties."

  Hearing this world's parties weren't ballroom-style but more like reception parties exchanging conversation while taking light refreshments in modern terms, Celeste thought finger food would be good and had shown Garkan canapé photos and explained what kind of food it was.

  "To be taught such things, I truly feel glad from my heart I came to this mansion!"

  Usually shy but becoming strangely eloquent about cooking—Garkan.

  "Ah, yes...

  Your hands are large, so I was a bit worried...

  Well, apparently unfounded."

  Saying this and shifting his gaze to Garkan's hands—on the prep table, cutely arranged canapés were neatly lined up.

  "Truly, I can only feel gratitude toward Master.

  To employ someone like me, and moreover give such wonderful recipe..."

  "Hm? No, self-deprecation isn't good?

  You're a fine cook. Be confident.

  You're the dignified Alabaster Hall head chef."

  "Masteeer..."

  Deeply moved, Garkan's round eyes welled up again.

  "If you shrink like that, Alabaster Hall's reputation suffers.

  Now, straighten up! Back straight, chest out!"

  "Y-yes!"

  RIIIP.

  Celeste meant to encourage him, unconsciously imitating Lady Biala...

  Perhaps Garkan puffed his chest too much—the cooking uniform he wore pitifully burst open.

  "Wh-whoa!?"

  "Kyaaaa!"

  Garkan hastily hiding his bare chest with both arms, and maids screaming while covering eyes with both hands (pretending to). Amid such commotion,

  "...Kenshiro, really?"

  Celeste muttered alone while leaving the chaotic kitchen.

  "...Ronovārr?

  I don't recall summoning you here?"

  "M-Master..."

  At the kitchen entrance, Ursort valet Ronovārr was peeking inside. Addressed by Celeste who noticed him, he visibly panicked.

  "What, for 'that'?

  Really, is it that good?"

  "N-no, absolutely not... tsu!"

  'That' was of course honey.

  To entertain Ursort guests, he'd also taught Garkan canapé recipes with cheese and honey, but probably had been sneakily receiving shares of practice batches.

  "Unfortunate, but today only made Felinoid ones?"

  "No, absolutely not..."

  While saying this and vigorously waving both hands in denial, his shoulders dropped powerlessly.

  "Well, fine. I'll give you honey sticks later, so return to work now.

  You're truly an excellent attendant without that."

  "N-no, your words are too kin... not honey! I mean!

  Then I'll take my leave!"

  Saying this and busily running off, both his ears flapped happily.

  "Was he that pleased..."

  Muttering alone while leaving the preparation building and heading to the garage behind the mansion—Reinbardt, emerging from the main building, pursued and addressed him.

  "Master, about the party invitation matter."

  "Mm? What?"

  "Several people who'll be staying in the capital that day have increased. Regarding their invitations, for consultation..."

  "Ah.

  Sorry. Can you consult Lady Biala about that?

  Honestly, my head's full just remembering nobles I sent invitations to.

  You two decide whether to invite them, then just tell me who you added later."

  Actually, Reinbardt had already consulted Lady Biala. But advised 'Though ultimately we'll decide, getting His Excellency's permission comes first,' he'd come here.

  "Understood."

  Reinbardt keenly felt that despite being a great noble's son himself, his handling of such situations still had many shortcomings. Compared to that, this master who wasn't even noble-born seemed to handle things far more flexibly and accurately.

  "Well, I'm counting on you."

  While watching his master walk toward the garage with a casual reply, he thought him truly a mysterious person.

  "Retes-kun?

  Practicing driving?"

  Stables... no, on Tusita it'd be Sus stables, but what Celeste's mansion had was neither—a 'garage.'

  Solar panel arrays covered its roof densely, same for every mansion building.

  Entering the garage and descending further underground, Celeste called to Retes who should be there.

  "Ah, Master!"

  Unlike the ground-level garage portion, a vast underground space seemingly as large as an elementary school playground.

  A place Celeste 'created' before 'causing various things' to conduct experiments.

  Now there, Retes was diligently practicing go-kart driving.

  ...This go-kart too was materialized from brought RC toys.

  "I'd like you to practice with a real car, but that still feels too early—dangerous.

  First cultivate the sensation of what 'driving' is with that."

  "Yes...

  Honestly, this running without anything connected is amazing, but quite scary."

  "Mm. Understanding that 'scariness' means you have aptitude.

  ...Compared to that idiot who got banned from here."

  "...I'm truly sorry my brother's an idiot!"

  Having originally hired Retes as groom, Celeste had planned training him as driver from the start, but begged by Roderick (naturally, Roderick got fisted by younger brother Retes), tried letting him ride—spectacular crash.

  However Roderick:

  "Well~ my only virtue is a sturdy body!"

  Showing miraculous survival(?) without a single scratch, got massively punched by Retes again and banned.

  "Really, that musclehead—did nutrients meant for his brain go to his body too...

  His twin is so cautious and serious though.

  So, where's that idiot?"

  "Under Lady Biala's instructions, went on errand to her family home."

  "Ah, right...

  Then, continue practicing hard."

  "Yes.

  But is it alright not helping with party preparations?"

  While other servants worked on preparations, perhaps feeling guilty being alone here relaxing, Retes looked apologetic.

  "It's fine. You're a groom... no, driver.

  You're doing your job, so no need to worry.

  If you don't work hard, your job will truly disappear? Because I'll drive myself?"

  "No! I'll work my absolute hardest!"

  When Celeste deliberately spoke mischievously, surprised Retes answered loudly.

  "That's the spirit. I'm counting on you."

  Encouraging Retes and leaving the basement, heading to the main building—Celeste's vision caught Roderick returning from errands.

  'Really has become quite a household.'

  On Earth living in a quiet apartment with only cats, but spending time noisily with many people like this isn't bad either, Celeste felt.

  The mansion unveiling party, three days prior.

  The afternoon sun was slowly setting.

  End of Part 1.

  Next up: Celeste goes on a rampage. Stay tuned!

  Please rate the story if you're enjoying it! See you in the next chapter!"